Pain Levels Following Cosmetic Breast Surgery and An Easy-To-Use Pain Treatment Algorithm for Plastic Surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine the degrees of pain experienced following various breast cosmetic surgery procedures and to evaluate the existing pain treatment methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent subpectoral breast augmentation, mastopexy, or breast reduction between 2017 and 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 90 patients were randomly selected, with 30 patients in each group. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain levels. The data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The subpectoral breast augmentation group exhibited the highest recovery VAS score. Postoperative 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24-h VAS values were higher in the breast augmentation group than in the breast reduction and mastopexy groups. No statistically significant difference observed between mastopexy and breast reduction in terms of VAS scores during the evaluation periods. Statistically significant higher VAS scores were observed for subpectoral breast augmentation at all times compared to the preoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Subpectoral breast augmentation is associated with higher levels of postoperative pain compared to breast reduction and mastopexy. Effective postoperative pain prevention is crucial following aesthetic breast surgeries. It not only helps to reduce hospital stays but also aids in patient recovery, facilitates a quicker return to daily activities, and enhances patient satisfaction. To achieve this objective, it is advantageous to utilize a practical pain treatment algorithm that is readily applicable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Intranasal Extramucosal Access: A New Access for Lateral Osteotomy in Open Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different accesses have been used to perform lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty. All of them have some disadvantages. The aim of this paper was to report a new access to overcome drawbacks of the other techniques in lateral osteotomy during open rhinoplasty. METHODS: An anatomical study was designed to search possibility of intranasal extramucosal access (open sky access) for the lateral osteotomy in open rhinoplasty. It was performed directly on the lateral wall of piriform aperture, and then possible advantages of this technique were investigated. Five fixed cadavers were used for this purpose. No drawbacks were observed during procedure in cadavers. Then the same procedure was performed in 23 consecutive rhinoplasty patients. Nineteen operations were primary and 4 operations were secondary. Median oblique osteotomies were added to the procedure in all patients. The mean follow-up was 17 months. RESULTS: Intranasal extramucosal access during lateral osteotomy was easily performed in all patients. Hemorrhage due to angular vessel injury was not occurred during intraoperative period. Edema and ecchymosis was minimal. Intranasal examination did not show any sign for nasal mucosal tearing in all patients. Residual bone spurs or bone irregularities were not observed in any patients. CONCLUSION: Intranasal extramucosal access that produces precise, predictable, and reproducible aesthetic and functional results could also provide better exposure during lateral osteotomy. Additionally, open sky access minimizes scars because it does not need additional incisions on the skin and mucosa. Protection of the internal periosteum of the nasal bones may be the main advantages of this technique.

Comparison of Subciliary Approaches in Orbito-Zygomatic Fractures: Skin Flap Versus Skin-Muscle Flap.

BACKGROUND: Because of the complications of classical subciliary incision, some modified subciliary approaches have been described in recent literature. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare 2 commonly used subciliary approaches according to development of postoperative complications (scar formation, and ectropion). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients were included in this retrospective study. Subciliary skin flap technique (SF group) was performed to 39 patients, while the others were operated by using skin-muscle (stepped) flap technique (SMF group). Fitzpatrick skin types, genders, ages, scar scores, and ectropion scores of the patients also were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.3 (18-99) years, and the mean follow-up period was 2.1 (1-6) years. Fitzpatrick skin-type levels were between 2 and 4 (median = 3). No difference was found between 2 groups in terms of age, follow-up period, and Fitzpatrick skin-type levels. However, the scar values of the SMF group were significantly lower than the SF group statistically. Also, there was no significant difference between males and females in SF and SMF groups in terms of scar and ectropion formation. On the other hand, scar values were lower in SMF groups rather than SF group in males. Although ectropion values were not different between SF and SMF groups in females, ectropion values of SMF group were significantly lower than SF group in males statistically. CONCLUSION: Subciliary skin-muscle (stepped) flap technique can be more reliable than subciliary skin flap technique for approach to orbitozygomatic fractures.

Suprathel(®) -assisted surgical treatment of the hand in a dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patient.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a progressive familial disorder composed of dermal mucosal blisters, flexion contractures and pseudosyndactylies. Flexion contractures and pseudosyndactyly can be treated with surgery but usually require skin grafting. Because of poor wound healing, skin graft harvesting is a challenge in these patients. In order to prevent donor-site morbidities due to skin graft harvesting some alloplastic materials were introduced. In this study, we focused on Suprathel(®) as a new allograft material for covering the skin defects of a patient with dystrophic EB.

Fujimori gate flap: an old flap for reconstruction of lower lip defects due to lower lip carcinoma resection.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present our clinic experiences on the Fujimori gate flap used for reconstruction of lower lip defect due to lower lip carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 19 patients (7 females, 12 males; mean age 60.3 years; range 41 to 79 years) who underwent reconstruction with the Fujimori-gate flap between January 2006 and March 2011. Demographic features of all patients and postoperative long-term functional and aesthetic results were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean size of the defects was 34.2 mm (range, 10 to 60 mm). Totally 27 flaps were elevated. No complication was observed after surgical procedure. In the long-term, nine patients underwent minor revisions. None of the patients showed local recurrence. CONCLUSION: Fujimori gate flap may be used for the reconstruction of the soft tissue loss after tumor surgery at lower lip.

The quantitative effect of botulinum toxin A over brow height.

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is currently used in temporal brow lifting. Reducing the activity of the superolateral portion of orbicularis oculi muscle causes lateral brow elevation. The objective of this study was to determine the quantitative brow elevation after paralysis of the superolateral portion of orbicularis oculi muscle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study includes 10 female patients. Six units of BTX-A were injected into the superolateral portion of the orbicularis oculi in a serial manner into 3 points, below the lateral half of the brow at each side. Bilateral measurements were obtained by using calipers, immediately before and 2 weeks after the treatment. The medial canthus to the medial brow margin (AB), the lateral brow margin to the lateral canthus (CD), the medial brow margin to the lateral brow margin (BC), the brow apex to upper lid margin at the level of the lateral limbus (EF), the brow apex to the medial brow margin (EB), the brow apex to the lateral brow margin (EC), and upper eyelid margin to lower eyelid margin at the level of the pupil (GH), were measured. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences found between pretreatment and posttreatment left and right measurements. There were statistically significant increases in CD, EF, and GH measurements, which are point out brow elevation. There were no statistically significant differences found in other measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Same doses of BTX-A application did not disrupt symmetry. Applications of 6U BTX-A to the superolateral portion of orbicularis oculi provide brow elevation and increased interpalbebral distance and upper eyelid distance. Our study has confirmed that BTX-A treatment of superolateral portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle produces quantitative temporal brow elevation.

Management of cranial bone defects: a reconstructive algorithm according to defect size.

INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction of cranial bone defects is one of the most challenging problems in reconstructive surgery. The timing of reconstruction, the location of the defect, the materials to be used, and the medical history of the patient are parameters that have been mostly discussed in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any published classification for the cranial bone defect reconstruction according to defect size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients underwent reconstruction of cranial vault defects. Cranial bone defects were classified into 3 groups according to the size of the defect. The small-sized group included the defects smaller than 25 cm(2), the medium-sized group included the defects between 25 to 200 cm(2), and the large-sized group included the defects larger than 200 cm(2). The small-sized defects were reconstructed with split calvarial graft, demineralized bone matrix, or hydroxyapatite cement; the medium-sized defects were reconstructed with split calvarial graft or allogenic bone graft; and the large-sized defects were reconstructed with methyl methacrylate, autoclaved bone, or porous polyethylene. RESULTS: Two patients needed revision for irregularities with demineralized bone matrix. Other patients had no skull defects or irregularities for which revision was suggested. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the size of the defect is important for the reconstruction of cranial vault defects and that using a standard algorithm can increase the success rate.

A reliable option for wrist soft tissue defects: adipofascial flaps for immediate and late reconstruction.

Extensive volar injuries are common and devastating because of the long-term adhesion potency. The gliding effect of the adipose tissue is essential in preventing tendon adhesions after injury. In this study, we present the results of performing adipofascial flaps for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects following wrist trauma. The study included 15 patients. Adipofascial flaps were performed for immediate coverage of the tissue defect in 2 patients and for late adhesion-related problems in 13 patients. Flap dimensions varied from 8 × 14 to 8 × 20 cm. All but one of the flaps and skin grafts survived uneventfully. None of the patients, whether immediate or late, required another operation to address further adhesion problems. Since adipofascial flaps provide a gliding surface, they are a good choice for immediate coverage of soft tissue defects in the wrist that are not suitable for skin grafting alone as well as for late adhesion-related problems.

Facial resurfacing with a monoblock full-thickness skin graft after multiple malignant melanomas excision in xeroderma pigmentosum.

Xeroderma pigmentosum is an autosomal recessive disease, characterized by vulnerability of the skin to solar radiation. Increase in sunlight-induced cancer is a direct consequence of an increase in mutated cells of the skin of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. There is no specific technique for facial resurfacing in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. In this article, a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum with multiple malignant melanomas on her face and radical excision of total facial skin followed by facial resurfacing with monoblock full-thickness skin graft from the abdomen is presented.

Treatment of hyperdynamic nasal tip ptosis in open rhinoplasty: using the anatomic relationship between the depressor septi nasi muscle and the dermocartilaginous ligament.

BACKGROUND: Smiling causes a deformity in some rhinoplasty patients that includes drooping of the nasal tip, elevation and shortening of the upper lip, and increased maxillary gingival show. The depressor septi muscle leads this deformity. The dermocartilaginous ligament originates from the fascia of the upper third of the nose and extends down to the medial crus, merging into the depressor septi muscle. METHODS: In this study, 100 primary rhinoplasty patients were studied for hyperdynamic nasal tip ptosis. Of these patients, 36 had hyperdynamic nasal tip ptosis due to hyperactive depressor septi nasi muscle. The dermocartilaginous ligament was used as a guide to reach the depressor septi muscle in open rhinoplasty. Muscle excision was performed just below the footplates of the medial crura. A strong columellar strut graft was placed between the medial crura to avoid narrowing of the columellar width resulting from tissue excision and to withstand activation of depressor septi muscle remnants. RESULTS: No complications such as infection or hematoma occurred in the early postoperative period. The technique corrected the hyperdynamic nasal tip ptosis, increased upper lip length, and decreased gingival show when patients smiled. There was no narrowing of the columellar width. No depression in the columellar-labial junction due to distal resection of the depressor septi muscle was observed. CONCLUSION: The dermocartilaginous ligament can be used as a reliable guide to reach the depressor septi muscle in open rhinoplasty. Therefore, the hyperactive depressor septi muscle can be definitively identified and treated without an intraoral approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors at www.springer.com/00266.

Feasibility of demineralized bone matrix for craniomaxillofacial contour restoration.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) could be a good alternative for craniomaxillofacial contour restoration, especially in perialar, malar, temporal, and frontal regions. In this study, the histologic behavior of DBM was investigated in different tissue planes to determine its proper application plane for restoration of craniomaxillofacial contour deformities and defects.Forty Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: (1) 0.3 mL of 0.9% saline was injected into the subperiosteal plane of the cranium, (2) 0.3 mL of DBM was implanted into the subperiosteal plane of the cranium, (3) 0.3 mL of 0.9% saline was injected into the subdermal plane on the left inguinal region, (4) 0.3 mL of DBM was implanted into the subdermal plane on the right inguinal region, (5) 0.3 mL of 0.9% saline was injected between the left external and internal oblique muscles, and (6) 0.3 mL of DBM was implanted between the right external and internal oblique muscles. At the 8th week half of the rats and at 16th week the remaining rats were killed in each group, and tissue samples were harvested. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation revealed new bone tissue and bone marrow formation in all planes that DBM was given.Demineralized bone matrix can provide satisfactory results in craniomaxillofacial contour deformities including forehead, temporal, and malar augmentations, as well as mental and perialar augmentations and saddle nose corrections, with supraperiosteal or deep subcutaneous applications. However, superficial applications must be avoided because of the possibility of palpation, because it induces hard bone tissue formation in all tissue planes.

Odontogenic keratocyst: an unusual location and review of the literature.

Odontogenic keratocyst is an epithelial developmental odontogenic cyst most commonly occurring in the jaws. It comprises approximately 11% of all cysts of the jaws. It has an aggressive behavior including high rates of recurrence, rapid growth, and extension into adjacent tissues. Odontogenic keratocyst is commonly found in the mandible with a predilection for angle and ascending ramus of the mandible. We document a case of odontogenic keratocyst that is unusually originated from the temporomandibular joint and we review the existing literature concerning odontogenic keratocyst. As far we know this is the first case of the odontogenic keratocyst originating from the temporomandibular joint.

Sliding alar cartilage (SAC) flap: a new technique for nasal tip surgery.

Congenital anatomic deformities or acquired weakness of the lateral crura of the lower lateral cartilages after rhinoplasty could cause alar rim deformities. As lower lateral cartilages are the structural cornerstone of the ala and tip support, deformities and weakness of the alar cartilages might lead to both functional and esthetic problems. In this article, we are introducing sliding alar cartilage flap as a new technique to reshape and support nasal tip. One hundred sixty consecutive patients between 18 and 55 years of age (mean age: 27.51) were included in the study between January 2007 and May 2008. Of the total number of patients 60 were male and 100 of them were female. None of the patients had rhinoplasty procedure including lower lateral cartilage excision previously. Sliding alar cartilage technique was used in an open rhinoplasty approach to shape the nasal tip in all patients. This technique necessitates about 2 to 3 minutes for suturing and undermining the alar cartilages. The follow-up period was between 4 and 18 months. In no patients any revision related to the sliding alar cartilage technique was required. Revision was applied in 3 patients due to thick nasal tip skin and in one patient due to unpleasant columellar scar. In this article, we are presenting the "sliding alar cartilage flap" as a new technique for creating natural looking nasal tip. This technique shapes and supports nasal tip by spontaneous sliding of the cephalic portion of the lower lateral cartilage beneath the caudal alar cartilage, with minimal manipulation, without any cartilage resection, or cartilage grafting.

Suction-assisted lipectomy for treatment of lower-extremity lymphedema.

Lymphedema typically occurs on the extremities and affects millions of people throughout the world. Although currently there is no single treatment proven effective for lymphedema in every patient, suction-assisted lipectomy has been shown to be effective in some patients. Suction-assisted lipectomy offers patients with lower-extremity lymphedema a less invasive, less morbid surgical option compared with traditional excisional techniques. In this article we present a case of lymphedema reduction with suction-assisted lipectomy in a patient with bilateral lower-extremity lymphedema.

A challenging problem that concerns the aesthetic surgeon: postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are among the most common adverse events in the postoperative period. This is especially disastrous in aesthetic surgery; it may cause hematoma, wound dehiscence, and patient dissatisfaction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of PONV after aesthetic surgery procedures, and to determine the risk factors for PONV. Two hundred and twelve patients undergoing the most common aesthetic surgical procedures were included into this study. Female gender, surgical site, and history of PONV were found to be significant risk factors, however, postoperative opiate use and history of motion sickness were not found to be significant risk factors for PONV. Those undergoing trunk surgery procedures appeared to be at higher risk than were those undergoing head and neck surgery procedures. Also, ondansetron was found to be more affective than metoclopramide. Risk factors for PONV must be questioned preoperatively. Patients with risk factors are good candidates for prophylaxis. As a result of the effective prevention of PONV, postoperative patient comfort and satisfaction should be more improved.

Chest wall deformity after tissue expansion.

There have been few reports about skeletal changes beneath a tissue expander in breast reconstruction. We present one, and surgeons should be cautious about the possibility of skeletal deformities in patients who are osteoporotic and postmenopausal who require prolonged tissue expansion.

External Mustarde suture technique in otoplasty revisited: a report of 82 cases.

In otoplasty surgery the antihelical fold is frequently created using Mustarde sutures. When using the Mustarde suture technique it is important to insert the needle through the cartilage at right angles. This technical objective is easily achieved with an external Mustarde suture technique. A review of 82 patients who underwent otoplasty between 2005 and 2011 was conducted. All patients underwent external Mustarde suture otoplasty without conchal cartilage resection. The cartilage had been softened by rasping and conchomastoidal sutures had been used to correct conchal excess if necessary. In one patient, a secondary revision was performed for inadequate superior pole correction. In three patients sutures were visible after 1 year postoperatively and the sutures were removed under local anaesthesia without any recurrence. In one patient blister formation occurred due to inaccurate packing, but healed without any problem in a few days. No other complications, such as bowstringing of the internal sutures, haematoma, or infection, were observed. The patients expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their results. The risk of technical error is minimal. It is easy to perform and not time-consuming. Due to these advantages, this method is a reliable technique in otoplasty.